Neri orders its first Damen tug

The Livorno based, family owned towage company is one of the largest such companies in Italy with a history dating back over 100 years. The newbuild tug order is for a Damen ASD 3212, the deal also including an additional order for two second hand Stan Tug 2608s from Damen Trading.

Fratelli Neri states that technical characteristics of the Stan Tug 2608s, built as DMS Bluebird and DMS Starling match perfectly with requirements of a tender awarded by a major foreign oil company. What they describe as: “The proven concept design and long lasting quality” also drove the decision to purchase the two vessels. Neri are confident their tug captains will appreciate the ASD 3212 and while primarily used for port towage in the Mediterranean, what is described as its “versatility and performance” will not preclude it being operated elsewhere.

As is common with Damen vessels, the hull was held in stock and is currently being customised to meet requirements of the Italian flag including fire-fighting, water spray notation and a capability for oil recovery operations. The particular design includes a completely revised hull form and higher bow which together result in increased speed and drier foredeck.

The notable feature of this particular ASD 3212 order is that it will be fitted with the first ship-handling tug winch in the world to be fully classified, the hydraulically powered, double drum winch having a brake holding load of 200 tonnes. Staying connected to the ship being assisted is seen as vital for safe tug operations where very high peak loads can result in risk of the towline breaking. Andrea Trevisan, Damen Sales Manager North, West and South Europe comments on the new winch: “The Render Recovery winch has proven it is far more reliable and faster in demanding sea escort operations in recovering a line than a normal winch is.”

The Damen ASD 3212 design has undergone rigorous testing over the past few years, both at Damen’s own Research and Development Department as well as at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). The new tug will have a bollard pull of over 80 tonnes and is due to be delivered by December 2015.

As well as the three tugs mentioned here, Fratelli Neri also have a Damen Stan Tender 1905 named LNG Express. Delivered in January 2011 the vessel was completed from a stock hull and delivered just six months after the contract was signed. It is used as a crew boat at the LNG terminal near Livorno, Italy.

By Peter Barker